Interface circuit for utilizing a facsimile machine coupled to a PC as a scanner or printer

ABSTRACT

Printing and scanning methods using a facsimile machine communicating with a computer over a bi-directional direct passive link connected between digital communication ports of the computer and facsimile machine Upon receipt of an instruction at the facsimile machine, the printing method includes receiving digital image data from the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link. The digital image data is processed substantially as it is received at the facsimile machine and printed onto media. Upon receipt of an instruction at the facsimile machine, the scanning method includes scanning content from media provided within the facsimile machine to create digital image data digital image data representative of the content, and providing the digital image data substantially as it is created to the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link. The instructions and digital image data are transmitted in a standard facsimile machine format using standard facsimile machine protocols.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/322,908, filed Feb. 9, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,040,574, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/084,297, filed Mar.19, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No., which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No.08/669,056, filed Jun. 24, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,811, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/226,278,filed Apr. 11, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,558. These applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to interfacing a facsimile with a PC andmore particularly to an interface circuit of highly simplified designand including a novel ringing circuit capable of generating a sine waveof a given amplitude and frequency from a small, portable DC battery or9V DC power supply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the art, a conventional facsimile scans documentsand transmits the scanned information through a modem in a standardfacsimile format to a remote facsimile which receives the transmitteddata by a modem and converts the transmitted data into a form forprinting a document which is a replica of the document scanned by thetransmitting facsimile.

Scanning and printing devices especially adapted for use with PCs (i.e.personal computers) are relatively expensive devices typically costingmany hundreds of dollars to as much as several thousands of dollars forapplications requiring character recognition capabilities.

It has been recognized that conventional facsimile machines may beutilized as scanners or printers for PCs. However, the interface devicespresently available are both complicated and expensive and typicallyrequire a microprocessor which further tends to increase both cost andcircuit complexity.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to providea circuit for interfacing a PC and a facsimile to enable the facsimileto be utilized as a scanner or a printer for a PC and to accomplish allof the objectives of a scanner or a printer in a simple straightforwardmanner through the use of a circuit of highly simplified design and lowcost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves all of the above as well as otherobjectives through apparatus which is characterized by comprising firstswitch means capable of selectively coupling a PC modem and a facsimilemodem to independent telephone lines when in a non-scanning/printingmode and for decoupling the PC and facsimile modems from the telephonelines and coupling these modems to one another when placed in ascanning/printing mode.

Second manually operable switch means activates a novel ringing circuitwhich generates a sine wave of appropriate amplitude and frequency andapplies this ringing circuit to the PC modem, when used as a scanner orto the facsimile when being used as a printer, causing the PC orfacsimile machine to respond to the simulated transmit request.

Release of the circuitry operating button causes the interface circuitryto apply an off-hook condition to the facsimile. Document scanning orprinting is initiated by pressing the facsimile start button or thestart button provided as part of the PC or by a program step integratedinto the PC as part of a print mode (selecting the facsimile as theoutput device for printing). Transmitted data may be directly stored ina PC memory. Documents incorporating alphanumeric data may be convertedby a software program incorporated into the PC.

The ring generating circuit responsive to pressing of the operatingbutton generates a transmit request signal by converting the low voltagefrom a DC source into a 20 cycle sine wave of 90 volt amplitude throughthe employment of a pulse generating circuit coupled to phase delaymeans and applying phase delayed and undelayed pulses to atransistorized switching circuit for selectively applying positive DCvoltage to opposing inputs of a step-up transformer which applies aboosted sinusoidal ring signal to the PC modem, the ring generatingcircuit generating a ringing signal of the appropriate amplitude andfrequency in a highly simplified and inexpensive manner. Since operationof the ringing circuit is completed in less than two seconds, a battery,if used, will have an extremely long operating life. Alternatively, if a9V DC power source is used the battery is not required at all.

The simple, straightforward operation of only three switches eliminatesthe need for complicated, expensive and typically microprocessor-basedcircuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above, as well as other objects of the present invention, willbecome apparent upon reading the accompanying description and drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of the interface circuitry of the presentinvention which enables a PC to utilize a conventional facsimile as asophisticated scanner or printer.

FIG. 1 a is a flow diagram of the circuitry of FIG. 1 employing themicroprocessor-based tone detecting circuit of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2 a-2 i show simplified block diagrams of various systemarrangements employing the circuitry of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

FIG. 1 shows an interface circuit 10 embodying the principles of thepresent invention and being comprised of a switch assembly SW2 which isa four-pole double-throw switch having four movable switch arms SW2-2,SW2-5, SW2-8, and SW2-11, each cooperating with a pair of stationarycontacts, as shown. For example, and for simplicity, note that switcharms SW2-2 is switchable between stationary contacts SW2-1 and SW2-3.

Movable switch arms SW2-2, SW2-5, SW2-8 and SW2-11 are all ganged tooperate in unison as shown by common operating button B2 coupled to theswitch arms through a linkage arm LA2 shown in schematic fashion as adotted line. The switch is designed so that the switch arms are retainedin the positions to which they are moved.

The switch arms are arranged in pairs, switch arms SW2-2 and SW2-5selectively coupling a modem of a PC (not shown for purposes ofsimplicity) to either a first telephone line #1 through jumper JP3 ordirectly to a local facsimile machine (not shown for purposes ofsimplicity) through a jumper terminal JP2.

In a similar fashion, a pair of switch arms SW2-8 and SW2-11 selectivelycouple the local facsimile machine through jumper JP2 to either aseparate telephone line #2 (through jumper JP4) or to the modem of thePC.

A double-pole single-throw switch SW3 is provided to couple either thelocal facsimile machine or the PC modem to a single telephone line oralternatively, disconnects the PC modem and facsimile machine from thecommon telephone line. For example, in applications where both the localfacsimile and the PC each have an independent, dedicated telephone line,switch SW3 remains open. In applications where only a single telephoneline is provided, both PC and the local facsimile may share the singletelephone line by gaining access thereto in a staggered manner.

Switch SW1 which is a three-pole, double-throw switch, comprises threemovable switch arms SW1-1, SW1-4 and SW1-7, each movable switch armcooperating with a pair of stationary switch arms.

Movable switch arm SW1-1 selectively couples the output terminal of thepair of secondary windings W2 of a step-up transformer TR1 either tostationary terminal SW1-2, which isolates the output of the transformerTR1 from the operating circuitry, or stationary contact SW1-3 whichcouples the secondary winding W2 of transformer TR1 through movableswitch arm SW1-7 and stationary contact SW1-9 simultaneously tostationary contacts SW2-6 and SW2-12 of four-pole double-throw switchSW2 for simultaneous connection to the PC modem and the local facsimile,when switch arms SW2-5 and SW2-11 respectively engage stationarycontacts SW2-6 and SW2-12.

Movable switch arm SW1-4 selectively couples a small nine volt (9V) DCsource (through jumper 15) to either stationary switch arm SW1-5 forcoupling nine volt (9V) DC to a current generator circuit 12 oralternatively coupling nine volt (9V) DC to stationary terminal SW1-6which in turn provides DC power to the nine volt (9V) ring generatorcircuit arranged within the dotted region as shown.

Current generator circuit 12 is comprised of resistors R1, R2 and R5,transistors Q1 and Q6, diode D2 and LED-type diode D3 which areconnected in the manner shown to provide a constant current whichsimulates an off-hook signal, utilized in the manner to be more fullydescribed hereinbelow. Resistor R2 serves as a current limitingresistor. LED D3 lights to denote operation of the constant currentgenerator.

Ring generator circuit 14, which is utilized to generate a 20 Hz sinewave of a 90 volt amplitude, comprises a 555-type timing circuit 16which, when activated by a nine volt DC input, applied to timer 16through terminal VCC and resistor R13, provides a pulse train of equalwidth, positive-going pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 20 Hz atits output 16 a.

The pulse train generated by the 555 timer 16 is simultaneously appliedto the input of inverter U1A whose output is simultaneously coupled tothe base electrodes of transistors Q2 and Q4, through resistor R6 andthrough inverter U1B and resistor R9.

The pulse train, as was set forth hereinabove, is simultaneously coupledto the −T input of a one-shot multivibrator operating as a phase delaycircuit and whose Q output is coupled to the input of inverter U1E. TheQ output of one-shot multivibrator U2A provides a phase delayed pulsewhich is coupled through the output of inverter U1E simultaneously tothe base of transistor Q5 through resistor R8 and to the base oftransistor Q3 through inverter U1F and resistor R7. Transistors Q2-Q5and resistors R6-R9, together with resistor RIO, form a full bridgeswitching circuit which is powered by the nine volt (9V) DC sourceapplied to the terminal VCC to provide drive current sufficient to drivetransformer TR1, comprised of a pair of primary windings W1 and a pairof secondary windings W2, to generate a sine wave output. The pair ofprimary windings W1 and secondary windings W2 are coupled in paralleland the windings are arranged to provide a step-up transformer tomagnify the input voltage preferably by ten to one (10:1), generatingthe desired output voltage which, in the present application, is a 20 Hzoutput of 90 volt amplitude with 15 mils of current from a nine volt(9V) DC, 150 mils current source. If desired, the frequency, amplitudeand current of the circuit can be changed by selecting differentcomponent values for the passive elements. The component values chosenin the present invention have been selected to generate a signal whichreproduces a standard bell ring signal employed in a conventionaltransmission between remote facsimile machines. The branch circuits BC1and BC2 of the bridge circuit are alternately rendered conductive toalternately apply a positive voltage to opposing inputs of the inputwindings W1 for generating a sine wave from the positive-going pulsesproduced by timer circuit 16. The two input windings W1 are coupled inparallel as are the output windings W2.

The bell ring signal is selectively supplied through movable switch armSW1-1 of the three-pole, double-throw switch SW1 described hereinabove.

The operation of the interface circuit of the present invention is asfollows:

Assuming that the local facsimile is desired to be operated incombination with the PC and to function as a scanner, the switch SW2 ismoved from the normal position, in which the movable switch arms areshown in solid line fashion, to the dotted line position simultaneouslydisconnecting the PC modem and the local facsimile from the telephonelines and directly connecting the PC receive line, PCR1 to ground andthe PC transmit line PCT1 directly to stationary contact SW1-9. Thelocal facsimile transmit line FXT2 is directly connected to ground andthe facsimile receive line FXR2 is connected in common with line PCT1 tostationary contact SW1-9 of switch SW1. Switch SW3 may be either in theopen or the closed position when switch SW2 is moved to the scan mode.

Switch SW1 is operated by pressing button B1 which is ganged to themovable switch arms SW1-1, SW1-4 and SW1-7 by a common linkage armrepresented schematically by dotted line LA1. A biasing member or springSWP1 normally biases the movable switch arms to the solid line positionshown in Figure. By depressing switch button B1, the switch arms SW1-1,SW1-4 and SW1-7 are simultaneously moved to the dotted line positionsshown in FIG. 1. Button B1 is maintained in the depressed position for aperiod preferably between one and two seconds. In the dotted lineposition, the nine volt (9V) DC source is coupled through switch armSW1-4 and stationary terminal SW1-6 to the VCC terminals of ringgenerator circuit 14, producing a 20 Hz sine wave of 90 volt amplitudeand a current of 15 mils at the secondary windings W2, which is appliedto the PC line PCT1 through SW1-1, SW1-3, SW1-7, SW1-9, 126, SW2-6 andSW2-5, simulating what the PC believes is a request by a “remote”facsimile to transmit data thereto. The PC, which may be any type ofcomputer (including but not limited to an Apple Macintosh, IBM PC, PCATor PCXT) is provided with either an internal or external group IIIfacsimile interface board, and shifts to a receive mode for receivingwhat appears to the PC to be a facsimile transmission from a “remote”facsimile machine.

After holding the button B1 depressed for a time which need not exceedapproximately two seconds, button B1 is released causing the nine volt(9V) DC source to be coupled to input 12 a of current generator circuit12, which circuit applies the constant current to the facsimile receiveline FXR2 to create what appears to the facsimile machine to be anoff-hook condition. Simultaneously therewith, LED D3 lights indicatingthat the current generator circuit is presently in operation.

The local facsimile machine recognizes the constant current asrepresentative of an off-hook condition preparing the local facsimilemachine for transmission.

Thereafter, the conventional start button of the facsimile machine (notshown for purposes of simplicity) is pressed to start communication ofthe data scanned by the local facsimile machine from a document (ordocuments) placed within the facsimile machine document input (also notshown for purposes of simplicity).

The facsimile machine may be either a group I, group II, or group IIImachine, although optimum document resolution can be obtained throughthe use of a group III facsimile machine.

The conventional PC can store the transmitted data in its memory as a“picture” the resolution of the picture being 200 by 100 pixels for oldfacsimile machines, 200 by 200 pixels for standard facsimile machinesand 400 by 400 pixels for new facsimile machines. Alternatively, aconventional OCR software package such as, for example, a CAERE OCRprogram available from Bitsoftware may be employed. Many alternative OCRsoftware packages may be utilized to convert the “picture” transmittedby the facsimile machine to binary character form for word processinguse or the like.

Operation of the facsimile machine in combination with the PC whereinthe facsimile machine operates as a printer is as follows:

The ring generating circuit is not required to be operated in this modeand in applications where a facsimile machine is interfaced with a PCfor use only as a printer, the ring generating circuit and thecooperating spring bias switch may be eliminated.

Switch SW2 shown in FIG. 1 is moved from the solid line to the dottedline position decoupling the PC and facsimile machine from the telephonelines and coupling the PC and facsimile machine together.

Switch SW1 is operated to power the current generator circuit 12 causingboth the PC and the facsimile machine to see an off-hook condition.

The computer (PC) is operated either by providing a switch such as apush button switch (not shown for purposes of simplicity) to enter intoa standard protocol with the facsimile machine and thereafter totransmit information in standard facsimile machine format. The facsimilemachine senses that it is communicating with a remote facsimile machineand creates a document in accordance with the data received from the PCin “pixel” form. The PC may be provided with a standard program having aprint mode in which the facsimile machine is identified in the printingroutine as the specific output device being utilized during such a printmode. Upon completion of printing mode, switch SW2 may be returned tothe solid line position decoupling the PC from the facsimile machine andrecoupling the PC and facsimile modems to their associated telephonelines.

FIGS. 2 a-2 h show various arrangements in which the present inventionmay be utilized.

Noting, for example, FIG. 2 a, the circuitry 10 of the present inventionis coupled between a standard facsimile machine 30, a PC-type computer40 having a facsimile modem circuitry 41 and central office telephonelines 50 and 51. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 a, the facsimilemodem circuitry may be either internal or external to the PC-typecomputer 40.

FIG. 2 b shows another alternative embodiment in which the circuitry ofthe present invention is incorporated into the PC-type computer and maybe arranged on its own printed wiring board or on a printed wiring boardwhich is common to the circuitry 10 of the present invention and thefacsimile modem circuitry 41. The arrangement of FIG. 2 b is otherwisethe same as that shown in FIG. 2 a. The circuit 10 shown in FIG. 2 b isprovided with three RJ-11 telephone cable connections for respectiveconnection with the facsimile machine 30 and telephone lines 50 and 51.If only one additional telephone cable is provided, the standardfacsimile machine 40 and the internal facsimile modem 41 may share thatcable.

FIG. 2 c shows another alternative arrangement in which the circuitry 10of the present invention is integrated into the standard facsimilemachine 30. The operation of the arrangement of FIG. 2 c is otherwisesimilar to those shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

FIG. 2 d shows an arrangement in which the circuitry 10 of the presentinvention is mounted upon its own printed wiring board and is arrangedwithin the PC-type computer 40 and is electrically connected to theinternal facsimile modem 41 by an external RJ-11 cable as shown. Theoperation is otherwise the same as the embodiments of FIGS. 2 a-2 cdescribed hereinabove.

The circuitry 10 of the present invention may alternatively be placedupon a printed circuit card of approximately a credit card size forinsertion in a bus slot provided in present-day PCs enabling the circuiton the printed circuit card, inserted into a slot provided along theexterior of the PC, to be coupled to a PCMCIA bus which is an additionalbus that may be addressed by the PC.

FIG. 2 e shows still another arrangement in which the PC-type computer40 is coupled to external facsimile modem circuitry 41, for example,through an RS-232 cable. The facsimile machine interfaces to theexternal facsimile modem 41 through circuitry 10 by way of an RJ-11telephone cable. When in the normal mode of operation, circuitry 10interfaces central office telephone lines 50 and 51 through the RJ-11telephone cables, as shown. Cable 50 may be employed for standardfacsimile machine telephone communications while telephone line 51 isused for the external facsimile modem circuitry. If only one centraloffice telephone line is available, line 50 may be shared in the mannerpreviously described.

FIG. 2 f shows an arrangement in which interface circuit 10 is internalto the facsimile machine. PC-type computer 40 is coupled to thefacsimile modem circuitry 41 and interface circuit 10 through an RS-232cable. When in the normal mode of operation, circuitry 10 interfaces thecentral office telephone lines 50 and 51 through RJ-11 telephone cables,as shown. Cable 50 may be employed for standard facsimile machinetelephone communications while telephone line 51 is used for theexternal facsimile modem circuitry. If only one central office telephoneline is available, line 50, for example, may be shared in the mannerpreviously described. The arrangement of FIG. 2 f is used with PC'swhich do not have a fax modem installed. When interface 10 is installedinternal to the facsimile, the fax modem of the fax machine incorporatesmany of the functions of circuit 10, through integration of the alreadyexisting circuitry components of the fax modem.

The present invention may be employed with telephone systems havingdigital signal processing. FIG. 2 h, which is similar to FIG. 2 f, andwhich shows like circuits designated with like numerals, furtherincludes an interface 60 for digital signal processing. The send andreceive options required for scanning and printing are provided byinterface 60, which may, for example, be a chip set such as PEB 2091N-V4.4 and EPB 2186 N-V4.4, manufactured by Siemens. Any other chip sethaving similar operating characteristics may be employed. As otherdigital signal formats come into use, such as ADSL (Asymmetric DigitalSubscriber Line) HDSL (High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line), or thelike, a chip set for handling such formats may be substituted forinterface 60.

As shown in FIG. 2 i, a RAM and/or Fixed Disk 70 may be incorporatedinto the interface 10, integrated with a fax modem 30 to allow for thecapture of images or documents for later transfer into the PC 40 or thefacsimile machine 30, or for image enhancement within the interfaceconfiguration 10. The addition of the data storage feature isparticularly desirable for the fax machine or fax modem when they are innormal fax send or receive modes.

Optionally, the data storage feature is desirable for field applicationusage where information may be downloaded from a PC and stored ininterface 10 for later transfer to a facsimile machine or a PC. Storagewould be retained in this instance by battery backup incorporated in theRAM memory 70. Battery backup is not necessary for fixed disk storage.

FIG. 2 j shows an arrangement for automated scanning and printingfunctions between a fax modem and a fax machine.

As represented in FIGS. 2 a-2 f, in order to activate an automatedprocess for scanning or printing, the ring circuit 4 (FIG. 1) interfaceswith the Tip and Ring features of the fax modem or fax machine. This isdependent on keying in a code on the fax keypad, such as ## or #* or anyother predetermined code in order to respectively identify the scanningand printing functions. Interface 10 detects the tones generated by theinserted code (at the tone receiver 25 and generates a ring signal. Thering signal is detected and interpreted by the ring detect circuit ofthe fax modem or the fax machine. The fax modem or fax machine thengenerates receive signals or tones which indicate a connection. The faxmodem or fax machine commences the scanning of the fax image or printcycle.

By depressing a predetermined code such as ## on the fax machine keypad, the tone detector circuit 25 interprets this code, enabling acontrol circuit to activate first (26) and second (27) relay means.Relay 26 disconnects the fax machine and the fax modem (connected to thePC) from the Central Office terminal lines. Relay 27, then connects 9Vto the ring generator circuit 14 causing a sinusoidal ring signal of apredetermined frequency and amplitude to be generated to the PC faxmodem. The PC fax modem answers and starts the scanning process from thefax machine to the PC.

A communication program stored in the PC allows the code #* (forexample) to be entered, generating the tone signal from the fax modem.The tone detector circuit in the interface 10 interprets this code,enabling a control circuit to activate first (26) and second (27) relaymeans. Relay 26 disconnects the fax machine and the fax modem (connectedto the PC) from the Central Office terminal lines. Relay 27, thenconnects 9V to the ring generator circuit 14 causing a sinusoidal ringsignal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude to be generated to thefax machine. The fax machine answers and starts the printing processform the PC fax modem.

The switch version does not require the ## or #* or any other code, butactivates the automated scanning/printing by pressing the ringer buttonB2.

The provision of the scan and print functions internal to the facsimilemachine may also be accomplished by utilizing the analog output of theoptical scanning circuit 75 of the facsimile machine (FIG. 2 g). Theanalog signals are processed by the control/modem circuitry 76 wherethey are converted into a digital serial signal and then transmittedthrough the RS232 sending interconnect port, the signal is then receivedby an RS232 connector at the PC. The aforementioned procedure utilizesunused signal lines which are available on most modem chips such as theRockwell chip series.

A send and receive driver software package then implements the followingaction. The receive driver software accepts the digital image forstorage or processing as appropriate. This send/receive drivercommunications software package also has the ability to send a digitalimage to the facsimile machine for printing purposes. The facsimilemachine's control/modem circuitry then processed by the print driver 77for printing. This linkage method for scanning and printing utilizing afax machine is particularly useful for a computer without a fax modem.Any available send/receive communications software package isacceptable.

The commands of ## or #* for sending and receiving are still appropriatefor this application although any other desired commands may beselected.

For the automated operation, the circuitry 10 of FIG. 1 is provided withdevice 25 which includes an automatic tone detector circuit forreceiving a unique number dialed by either the facsimile machine or thePC modem. Upon recognition of the unique number, as set forth above orby generation using other techniques, the tone receiver operates adriver circuit 26 for operating switch SW2 to decouple the PC and thefacsimile machine from their associated telephone lines and forconnecting the PC to the facsimile machine. Driver circuit 26 may be arelay or its equivalent for operating an armature (not shown) to movethe switch arms between their two operating states. Driver unit 27 whichlikewise may be a relay or its equivalent, operates the switch SW1 tothe position energizing the ringing circuit 14. A timer is set and whentwo seconds elapses, unit 27 is deenergized causing the off-hook signalto be generated by current generator circuit 12 through the release ofthe operating button. When printing or scanning is complete, the tonereceiver unit is reset. A simplified flow diagram of the aforementionedoperation is shown in FIG. 1 a.

The circuitry of the present invention is highly simplified in designand provides effective communication between the PC and local facsimilemachine enabling the local facsimile machine to provide the dualfunctions of operating independently for transmission or reception toremote facsimile machines as well as functioning as a scanner or printerwith a local PC. The circuitry of the present invention provides all thenecessary signal conditions which lead the PC and local facsimilemachine to believe that they are communicating with one another over atelephone line. The facsimile machine, although operating in its normalfashion, functions very effectively as a scanner or printer as and whenneeded and provides a scanning or printing capability at a mere fractionof the cost of conventional scanners or printers.

Simple switching of SW2 returns the PC and facsimile machine to normaluse.

The novel ring circuit provides the required ring signal which isconventional in present-day facsimile transmission application throughthe employment of an inexpensive, low voltage, DC battery or 9V powersource and, through the operation of two switches incorporated in thenovel interface circuitry of the present invention, followed byoperation of the facsimile start switch, provides an interface circuitwhich is extremely easy to use and which eliminates the need for morecomplicated and expensive microprocessor-based devices.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein described.

1. A method of printing in a facsimile machine when the facsimilemachine is connected to a computer by a bi-directional direct passivelink, comprising: providing a digital serial communications port in thefacsimile machine; receiving an instruction at the digital serialcommunications port from the computer to place the facsimile machineinto a print mode, the instruction being received using a standardprotocol of the facsimile machine; receiving digital image data at thedigital serial communications port from the computer via thebi-directional direct passive link, the digital image data beingtransmitted in a standard facsimile machine format and beingrepresentative of content to be printed onto media by the facsimilemachine; and processing the digital image data substantially as it isreceived at the digital serial communications port to print the contentonto the media at the facsimile machine.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising interfacing the facsimile machine with telephonelines when the facsimile machine is in a normal mode of operation tosend and receive facsimile communications.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the interfacing is performed through RJ-11 telephone cables. 4.The method of claim 2, further comprising operating the facsimilemachine in the normal mode of operation while performing the printing ofdigital image data received at the digital serial communications port.5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the instruction at thedigital serial communications port from the computer further comprisesreceiving the instruction from send/receive driver software.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein receiving digital image data at the digitalserial communications port further comprises receiving the digital imagedata from the send/receive driver software.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising processing the digital image data at a print driverof the facsimile machine substantially as it is received at the digitalserial communications port.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginitiating the printing at the facsimile machine.
 9. A method ofscanning in a facsimile machine when the facsimile machine is connectedto a computer by a bi-directional direct passive link, comprising:providing a digital serial communications port in the facsimile machine;receiving an instruction at the digital serial communications port fromthe computer to place the facsimile machine into a scanning mode, theinstruction being received using a standard protocol of the facsimilemachine; scanning content from media provided within the facsimilemachine to create digital image data digital image data representativeof the content; and providing the digital image data substantially as itis created to the digital serial communications port for communicationto the computer via the bi-directional direct passive link, the digitalimage data being transmitted in a standard facsimile machine format. 10.The method of claim 9, further comprising interfacing the facsimilemachine with telephone lines when the facsimile machine is in a normalmode of operation to send and receive facsimile communications.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the interfacing is performed through RJ-11telephone cables.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprisingoperating the facsimile machine in the normal mode of operation whileperforming the scanning of content to create the digital image dataprovided to the digital serial communications port.
 13. The method ofclaim 9, wherein receiving the instruction at the digital serialcommunications port from the computer further comprises receiving theinstruction from send/receive driver software.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein providing the digital image data to the digital serialcommunications port further comprises communicating the digital imagedata to the send/receive driver software.
 15. The method of claim 9,further comprising initiating the scanning at the facsimile machine.